Tent



Nov."12, 1929.

G. H. DIAL TEN-T Filed Feb. 28, 1927 2 SheetS Sheet 7 G. H. DIAL Nov. 12, 1929;

TENT

Filed Feb. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UN H T b SATES PATE GEORGE H. manor COLUMBUS,'OHIO.

TENT

Application filed February 28,1927. Serial No. 171,452.

This invention relates to improvements in tents, and is especially directed to tents of the readily erected and collapsedtype used by campers, motorists and the like in securing adequate and temporary shelter.

A primary object of the invention resides in the provision of a tent of this character wherein is provided a frame construction capable of being folded when not in active use so as to occupy but a minimumof storage space and yet of such construction that the same may be readilyextended when in active operation to produce a substantial and rigid frame work which will serve to support the fabric covering of the tent in a positive and taut manner and wherein the tent as a whole will be staunch and stationary in its set up positions.

Another object of the invention resides in a frame work of simple, strong and efficient construction, which will be out of the way of the occupants of the tent and which may be extended or collapsed easily and convenient-- ly by operations requiring but a relatively short time to execute.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts hereinafter to be fully described and pointed, out in-t-he appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view taken of a tent having a frame constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention,

Figure2 is a plan view of the upper connections of the frame structure,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken through the same, s

Figure 4 is a sideelevation of one of the I corner connections,

Figure 5 is a similar view of the truss memher Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the joint.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 1 designates the-improved Figure 6 is a side elevation of a brace joint employed in the present invention,

tent comprising the present invention in its entirety. Broadly, the'tent includesia collapsibleframe construction. 2 and an outer fabriccovering 3, which is fashioned toproduce a top 4 and side walls 5. I The frame construction consists, of a centrally disposed hub 6, having an upstanding 1 stem 7, which is received within an eyelet 8 provlded in the center of the top 4:, the hub beingalso formed with a collar 9, engaging the under surface of thetop & and supporting thes latter around theeyelet'8. The hub includes radiating ears 10 below the collar 9, and to w'hich'ears there is pivoted as at 11 the in-' ner ends of,a.-.pluralityof radiatingribs 12, which extend toward the corners of the tent.

The outer ends of the sections 12 are pivotally connected to corner fittings 13, which are formed. to include offset extensions 14, ar-

ranged to be received within, eyelets loprovided in the four corners of thetent. The

fittings 13 are also provided with handles 16 forthe purpose of enablingthe positioning of theextensions 14; into the eyelets 15 and by swingingthe fittings on theirpivotsby means of thehandles 16 the studs 17 may be aligned so asto enter and occupy the upper ends of, a plurality of'downwardly extending leg sections 18, which also, are adapted to occupy thecorner edges of the tent, it being understood that the latter is substantially square when viewed in plan, as shown more porticularly in Figure 1'. The leg sections are preferably formed to include upper "and lower members 19 and 19?, which are hinged together as at 20 to permit of their more compact folding when not in use, and when set ears; i s a locking lever 26 formed to include a swinging bail 27, the outer end of which occupies notches 28 formed in the upstanding Walls of the sleeve 22, the bail will be held 1n locking relation therewith by the swinging action oi' the lever 26, thereby preventing the flexing or breaking of the'jomt- To tighten-the entire construction when the tent isset'up a pair of the ribs 12 have pivoted therto as at 29 a transversely extending truss section 30, which extends horizontally across the top of the tent and is formed to include formed in the tent covering, and an extension formed with said corner fitting with which the latter is swung on its pivotal connection to stretch said covering before connecting said fitting to'the upper end of a leg member.

In testimony wherof I afiix my signature. GEORGE H. DIAL.

a pair of members 31 and 32 Which are hinged whenthesame i's ino'vediupwardly to horizon together as at 33 immediately beneath the hub 6.

that to break the same the members 31 and 32 The hinge connection '33 is :such

must b'e 'forced obliquely downward,thehinge l connection locking when the members 31- and 32 are 'in a horizontally alignedposition. ,A lock hinge 341nay-be carried by themembers 31 and '32 to prevent the-latter from flexing accidentally and losing the alignedposition thereof. It will be seen that the'tru'ss sect-ion acts in the nature 'o'f'a toggle, whereby ib'uckle orthe like is carried in connection with'the truss sectionfor varying its efi'ective lengthand consequently "governing the pressures which the same delivers to the frame construction generally! In view of the foregoing it, will be seen that by the present invention a simple yet substantial frameconstruction is provided for tents and similar devices for temporary shelter, which has the advantage ofbeing light in"' weight, simple and economical in construction, may be collapsed in compact form, and one which 1s capable of=be1ng erected V ortaken down easily andic onvenientl'yby one operator. The frame construction, it will be observeth'occupies the corners of the tent and therefore does not interfere in any manner with theoccupants ofthe tent when the latter is'being used, The construction avoids especially the use of the'so-called center pole,

- set forth and described inin'y previous Patent No. 1,449,894, issued ,March 27 1923.

What is claimed is: v

In atent, a collapsible frame'structure comprising a plurality of radiating ribs, 'a centrally disposed hub'to which theinner ends of said ribs are pivotally connected,the outer ends of the ribs having pivotally connected c thereto corner fittings, dependingleg mem 'bers having their upper ends detachably con nected to saidfittings, said corner fittings' and hub member being provided with upstanding r pinsad'apted to'be pois'tioned within openings 1 

